Presentamos un estudio multicéntrico realizado a través de una encuesta en línea a 1826 familias de personas con TEA de Argentina, Brasil, Chile, México, Perú, República Dominicana, Uruguay y Venezuela. Nuestro objetivo es describir el impacto de la pandemia –y el aislamiento social– en la conducta, el estado de ánimo, el sueño y la alimentación de las personas con TEA. A tal fin hemos relevado características sociodemográficas, habitacionales y modalidad de confinamiento. Analizamos los efectos de la discontinuidad de los servicios educativos y terapéuticos y valoramos los alcances de las intervenciones a distancia. Algunas de las consecuencias del confinamiento –obligatorio para la mayoría– han sido el aumento de irritabilidad en las personas con TEA, el incremento de la conducta de deambular, mayores niveles de ansiedad, dificultades en alimentación, sueño y concentración. La mayor parte de las familias han notado retrocesos en sus hijos durante el encierro. Se destacan los efectos beneficiosos de salidas y paseos. Muchos tratamientos y clases se han suspendido. Se subrayan positivamente las intervenciones a distancia. La crisis actual debería ser una oportunidad para reorganizar dispositivos de educación y tratamiento, atendiendo a la necesidad de cambios, con una perspectiva más ecológica, inclusiva y amigable con el autismo.

Introduction. The COVID-19 lockdown has posed new challenges for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including service suspension and reductions in support. Objective. To explore the perspectives of caregivers on the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on people with ASD in Mexico. Method. 126 caregivers from Mexico completed a survey on the impact of lockdown on people with ASD. Results. Suspension of at least one service was reported for 38.9% of subjects, with no significant association being found between symptom worsening and service administration modality. Discussion and conclusion. Service suspension for people with ASD in Mexico has been a side effect of the pandemic, negatively impacting their behavior. Results indicate that certain services could be remotely maintained and provided to individuals with ASD in underserved areas.

Research capacity building is a process by which individuals and organizations develop skills and infrastructure resulting in greater ability to conduct useful research. Frequently, research quality and productivity measures focus on outcomes, such as peer-reviewed publications or grants awarded. Such distal measures are not informative when measuring initial stages of research, a common situation in low- and middle-income countries. This study used Cooke’s six-principle framework to assess the progress of an autism research collaborative in northern Mexico. We established 64 criteria across the six principles and rated them as Not Started, In Progress, or Achieved, based on narratives and process documentation collected for this purpose. Ratings were established for the years 2018, 2020, and 2022, which correspond to Years 5, 7, and 9 since the beginning of the collaborative, respectively. As of 2022, Principles 2 and 3 (“Close to practice” and “Linkages, collaborations, and partnerships,” respectively) had all begun; no criteria were rated as Not started. The principles with the highest Achieved rates were “Linkages, collaborations, and partnerships” (90%), and “Infrastructure” (Principle 6, 70%). Cooke’s research capacity building framework is a useful way to monitor progress of research capacity building and contribute to harmonious development of relevant principles at different levels. Lay abstract To inform improvement of care and public policy, quality research is required. Conducting research projects requires skills and infrastructure. Research capacity building is the process by which individuals and organizations develop greater ability to conduct useful research. However, in the scientific community, research quality and productivity measures are often focused on long-term products, such as publications or grants awarded. Those measures are not helpful when measuring initial stages of research, a common situation in low- and middle-income countries. We used a six-principle framework designed by J. Cooke to assess the progress of an autism research collaborative in northern Mexico. We established 64 criteria across the six principles, and rated them as Not Started, In Progress, or Achieved, based on narratives and process documentation collected for this purpose. Ratings were established for the Years 2018, 2020, and 2022. The principles with the highest Achieved rates were “Linkages, collaborations, and partnerships” (90%), and “Infrastructure” (Principle 6, 70%). Cooke’s research capacity building framework is a useful way to monitor progress of research capacity building and contribute to harmonious development of relevant principles at different levels.

To the Editor I write to object strongly to the use of the word autism to describe a lack of compassion, as it was in the JAMA Pediatrics opinion piece, "The Electronic Health Record and Acquired Physician Autism," 1 published online on September 24. It is dismissive, hurtful, and incorrect. The Editor's apology, 2 published October 8, was useful; still, I believe the message needs to be reinforced even more strongly.Dr Loper wrote about his frustrating day in clinic, owing in part to the electronic health record. Here is a description of one of my recent workdays:It was a busy morning, and I was walking quickly from one meeting to another, barely looking up as I checked my phone to see what was next on my schedule. My colleagues passed me in the hallway without a word; they too were focused on their tasks of the day. In the distance I heard, "Dr Dawson!" I turned and saw a young man on the autism spectrum who works at the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, smiling brightly. He quickly approached me while engaging in his characteristic rocking behavior. Clearly delighted to see me, he asked, "How is your day going, Dr Dawson?" I took a moment to reflect and told him that my day was packed with meetings. Glancing at my face, he looked concerned and said, "Dr Dawson, you always seem so busy. I think you need to take a break." I was touched by his perceptiveness and compassion.People with autism spectrum disorder by definition have difficulty socially interacting with others, but this should not be equated with a lack of compassion. Unlike neurotypical individuals, people on the autism spectrum usually approach social situations with an honest desire for a pleasant interaction without a hidden agenda or intention to gain power or manipulate others. How refreshing. Using the term autism to describe someone who lacks empathy or compassion not only compounds the stigma and prejudice that people with autism face every day, it is simply wrong.